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alaysians irrespective of race and religion should support Prime Minister'€™ Najib Razak'€™s offer to provide temporary shelter to 3,000 Syrian refugees over a three-year period.

It was magnanimous of the prime minister, in offering to provide food, shelter, clothing and jobs to Syrian refugees, to show Malaysia'€™s concern and care as a responsible UN member.

What is happening in Syria is something average Malaysians, who are used to living the pampered life, will not understand and appreciate. The atrocities inflicted on innocent civilians cannot be described in words. It can only be described in tears. The least we can do is to offer a helping hand.

Malaysia is well known in the UN as a benevolent and moderate Muslim country. Her humanitarian record over the years speaks for itself. There were loud cheers from UN delegates when Najib made the commitment at the 70th session of the United Nation'€™s General Assembly in New York as they know that the Syrian refugees will be in good hands.

Many refugees and illegal immigrants who land in Malaysia have decided to stay as they find life in this country good for them.

Despite not having proper documents, many find they can make a living in Malaysia without being harassed by the authorities. And even if they are caught and put in jail, they discover that they are well taken care of inside.

Likewise, the Syrian refugees may find Malaysia the best country to live in and will not want to go home. They may even apply for permanent resident status and citizenship after they find that Malaysians are warm and hospitable people.

The 3,000 Syrian refugees will eventually be Malaysia'€™s unofficial ambassadors, telling their countrymen the beauty of Islamic moderation and how the various government institutions work in tandem.

They will tell their countrymen how the three main races are able to live in peace and go about their daily lives in harmony and respect for one another.

Above all, they will tell their countrymen that in Malaysia, every child '€” boy or girl '€” has a future with free education, good health facilities and a stable political system.

Meanwhile, what the Syrian refugees need back home are winter clothes. Caring Malaysians should give their unused warm clothes to the respective NGOs who liaise with their Syrian counterparts.

Please do not give baju kebaya, cheong sam or sari as mentioned by one NGO representative during a briefing on Syrian Refugees Aid.

Hassan Talib
The Star/ANN/Selangor, Malaysia